Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on April 15, 2017, 04:58:46 PM
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Not great by the sound of it.
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Seems next season won't be the cakewalk some are hoping.
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Well that went well.
Happy Sodding Easter folks! ::)
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Lot of work to do.
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Bacuna week after week!! Why oh why?? The man is a fuckin joke!!
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Stam is smarter than Bruce.
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Giving Bruce a bit of slack we were on the beach second half. On the other hand we have no plan b. Bacuna at left back was a worse decision than starting amarvi at the start happy easter
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Three individual mistakes and we lose the game. Reading did nothing to win it otherwise.
BBC WM currently saying Baker needs to be sold, which sums up the extent of their football analysis.
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Remind me how Reading got on last week! Millions spent and we are still shit.
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Giving Bruce a bit of slack we were on the beach second half. On the other hand we have no plan b. Bacuna at left back was a worse decision than starting amarvi at the start happy easter
The season is almost over and I'm still struggling to understand what is our Plan A.
Play like that on Monday and we'll get slaughtered. Lose to the Rags next Sunday and it won't be slack Bruce will be getting.
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Bacuna and Amavi want culling.
The pair of absolutely useless, talentless, chronic shit.
You cannot gift 3 goals like that. It's fucking baffling how bad they are and how consistently they get picked.
Being embarrassed by that dreary shower at home, fucking shocking.
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Signs of the Villa disease coming back. We need to stamp that right out by our next home game.
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I wasn't over impressed when I saw the line-up.
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A masterclass of fucking wankery.
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Remind me how Reading got on last week! Millions spent and we are still shit.
Mostly spent on tat. Not looking forward to next season
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Bacuna and Amavi want culling.
The pair of absolutely useless, talentless, chronic shit.
You cannot gift 3 goals like that. It's fucking baffling how bad they are and how consistently they get picked.
Being embarrassed by that dreary shower at home, fucking shocking.
Hopefully Dr X will sort out a laughably large fee with a Chinese club for the 'services' of Amavi. God alone knows who'd be crazy enough to want the grinning knob 'ead with the stoopid haircut, mind. Maybe a BOGOF deal could be sorted somehow?
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total shite and I really don't know where we go from here - a massive clear out needed in the summer. It still might be too early, but Hogan looks lost, Kodjia was clearly carrying the injury, Hourihane and Ange anonymous yet again, Amavi and Bacuna beyond awful. Finish the season badly and Bruce is going to be under huge pressure to get off to an absolute flyer come August otherwise it's another cheerio.
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Hourihane's cross for Kodjia, when he should have scored, was exquisite.
Doesn't matter what you do in the game when you defend as badly as that. Absolute gifts of goals.
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Reading could easily have scored 7 today.
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Typical end of season on the beach nothing to play for performance.
Also probably the worst collective defensive performance I've seen from us all season, all three goals conceded were bad individual mistakes.
I think it sums it up that two players I thought would be major assests for us in this division if you'd asked me in September would be Grealish and Amavi. One can't even get in the team and the other had his worst game for us by a mile and I would sell if anyone offered over 10m this summer.
Didn't understand the starting team either, we desperately need another wide player as an option if Bacuna is going to be tried as one again, where was Green?
I haven't been bothered about our results for a while now, it matters in August and well today we saw we're still short of what we need to be a pacesetter from that month.
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Hogan had a really good chance from where I was sitting and blew it - Kodjia's chance from the Hourihane cross was a lot harder imo
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Dreadful performance. Add Adomah to the cnut book.
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Reading could easily have scored 7 today.
I'm sorry but that's absolute nonsense. We made more mistakes than them, they punished our mistakes.
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They created one chance without our assistance. We were poor and didnt take our chances.
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Strange game. Real end of season feel to it. Reading weren't two goals better than us but they took their (gift wrapped) chances and we didn't take ours. The referee was terrible today.
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That was so poor words fail me. Turn up like that next week and the unthinkable will happen.
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Bacuna and Amavi want culling.
You can add Hourihane to that list IMO.
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Lowlights..
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Reading could easily have scored 7 today.
I'm sorry but that's absolute nonsense. We made more mistakes than them, they punished our mistakes.
They scored 3.
Johnstone made 3 good saves, and they missed 2 or 3 easy changes.
They could have scored 7.
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Well this is why I said two weeks ago that the way we play we could just as easily lose the remaining games as much as win them. We just a bang average mid table side that looks solid when we win but poor when we lose.
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A timely reminder that at best we are an average championship side and at worst a poor in-cohesive amalgamation of a set of misfit players.
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Remind me how Reading got on last week! Millions spent and we are still shit.
Lost 7-1 to the team we beat 2-0 the week before.
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Reading could easily have scored 7 today.
I'm sorry but that's absolute nonsense. We made more mistakes than them, they punished our mistakes.
They scored 3.
Johnstone made 3 good saves, and they missed 2 or 3 easy changes.
They could have scored 7.
According to the BBC stats they had 8 shots on target compared to our 4, so you may have a point.
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Not sure who was the most desperate performer of the day between Amavi, Bacuna and the referee.
Amavi's afternoon was completely summed up by thinking he couldn't be arsed to run across the pitch when his number came up. He was absolutely appalling from start to finish.
Reading zipped the ball about really well, I thought they overplayed it at times but got away with it. Conversely we took an age when in decent positions.
The Scottish Cafu put in an excellent shift again unlike others. So disappointed with Jack who came on, bottled two tackles and goes off, tens of thousands of pounds better off and doing nothing to demand a place in the starting line up.
Reading are a play off team, nothing more. We've got a lot to do if we think we'll be up there challenging next season.
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poor
the starting line up looked meh and Bacuna - I wish he would just feck off
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Load of crap. Where are the goals in this side apart from Kodjia? James Chester is our third highest scorer! Norwich put SEVEN past them, we never look like scoring more than one or two.
Reading are piss poor aswell. Imagine them in the Premier League next season, they would get battered every week. We should know.
We'll be going into the Small Heath game on the back of another defeat at Fulham and they may have a lot more to play for than us.
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Didn't understand the team today ...... Bruce keeps saying he wants two up top but leaves Hogan on bench ....if he is not fit start RHM
Bacuna does not not any comment .....
Albert started on the wrong side and never got into it
The only player who looked like he might create anything ended up being moved back to centre half .....why?
As for "super" Jack what is he bringing to the party? I know he only had 20 minutes but did he do anything
Very very poor today and Bruce must take a lot of the blame
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Reading are piss poor aswell. Imagine them in the Premier League next season, they would get battered every week. We should know.
Agreed. If they somehow go up they will drop with less than 20 points and about 90 goals against.
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Also, yes the football isn't great but we were unbeaten in nine games and had 12,000 empty seats. Where were the missing thousands who have got Small Heath tickets?
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Dreadful performance. Add Adomah to the cnut book.
He's hit and miss and today was certainly one of his run up blind alleys time and again days.
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Also, yes the football isn't great but we were unbeaten in nine games and had 12,000 empty seats. Where were the missing thousands who have got Small Heath tickets?
It's the Easter weekend, lots of people will be away so there's no surprise that this one was a little low.
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Bruce for me has used up all the goodwill - he talks a good game but rarely delivers a side capable of one. One thing is clear, we can't give him the luxury of a quarter of a season if he isn't winning. A third season in this league would be unthinkable as the money runs out.
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As much as I like and support Bruce, why oh why do these managers inherit this 'play shit players' disease constantly? What is it about Bacuna and Amavi and of course earlier in the season Agbonlahor he sees that the rest us can't?
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I thought we might have seen the last of Bacuna with a six game ban but oh no he's straight back into what was a winning team. Result we've started regressing again.
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Also, yes the football isn't great but we were unbeaten in nine games and had 12,000 empty seats. Where were the missing thousands who have got Small Heath tickets?
I expected Reading to sell out as they are pushing for play offs but their turn up was low.
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Disapointing today. We did look at times like we knew the season was over in terms of a play of place. I didnt think we were too bad going forward but the defending was woeful. Amavi going off for Bacuna was a strange one as a few have mentioned. All in all, a poor day.
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Also, yes the football isn't great but we were unbeaten in nine games and had 12,000 empty seats. Where were the missing thousands who have got Small Heath tickets?
30k for a meaningless end of season Championship game isn't bad in my book. How many were you expecting?
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Reading could easily have scored 7 today.
I'm sorry but that's absolute nonsense. We made more mistakes than them, they punished our mistakes.
They scored 3.
Johnstone made 3 good saves, and they missed 2 or 3 easy changes.
They could have scored 7.
According to the BBC stats they had 8 shots on target compared to our 4, so you may have a point.
We also made some decent chances we should have buried but we put them high and wide, but the only stat that matters is the scoreline. We gifted them 3 goals with shoddy play at the back.
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I remember when Bruce was manager of the Rags, and their fans saying how bad it was that they played with 1 striker, at home.
How funny was that?
It's not so funny now.
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Happened to be in a lot earlier than usual today (pesky kids). Over one side were Calderwood, Hutton, Chester, Baker and Amavi working away a various things.
Over the other side, the clown Prince Micah Richards with Grealish, Bree, Hogan and Gardner. After standing around laughing with each other and not actually doing anything with a ball for an age, they did a shooting drill.
Honestly, it was appalling from all of them. Kodjia came over and netted a couple but the rest were scuffed or way over. It just appeared to be time for messing about without a care in the world.
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I remember when Bruce was manager of the Rags, and their fans saying how bad it was that they played with 1 striker, at home.
How funny was that?
It's not so funny now.
But it wasn't like we didnt create any chances though was it?
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We're not as good as Reading unfortunately despite the millions spent on new players - we are not much better than mid table where they are on the verge of the play offs.
Amavi was shit and if he's worth £25 million of any currency then the game's fucked - Bacuna similarly useless and would expect to see them both binned on Monday and Taylor and Green or Hogan starting
It's a nothing match in the grand old scheme of things but as someone alluded too earlier plenty of food for thought for anyone thinking we'll walk this division next season
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Happened to be in a lot earlier than usual today (pesky kids). Over one side were Calderwood, Hutton, Chester, Baker and Amavi working away a various things.
Over the other side, the clown Prince Micah Richards with Grealish, Bree, Hogan and Gardner. After standing around laughing with each other and not actually doing anything with a ball for an age, they did a shooting drill.
Honestly, it was appalling from all of them. Kodjia came over and netted a couple but the rest were scuffed or way over. It just appeared to be time for messing about without a care in the world.
Didn't' see that, but I didn't think putting Micah Richards on that video thanking fans for renewing their season tickets was a good idea. I don't think anyone renewed their ST in the hope that players like him are still at the club next season.
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I remember when Bruce was manager of the Rags, and their fans saying how bad it was that they played with 1 striker, at home.
How funny was that?
It's not so funny now.
But it wasn't like we didnt create any chances though was it?
I agree we did create chances.
But, I'd still like to see 2 strikers, especially at home.
Hogan and Kodj really need to form a partnership if we want any chance of going up next season.
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Amavi and Bacuna were pathetic. Amavii must have given away possession 10 times in the first half. Jowever je came on for the second half os known only to Bruce
lansbury manage to lose possession twice in thw first ten seconds of the second half before Reading scorwd after 20 seconds. Lansbury bottled 3 or 4 tackles. But not to worry because he is goingbto be a millionaire by the tome he is finished with the Villa. Grealish di sweet f all when he came on
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Disapointing today. We did look at times like we knew the season was over in terms of a play of place. I didnt think we were too bad going forward but the defending was woeful. Amavi going off for Bacuna was a strange one as a few have mentioned. All in all, a poor day.
It was Hogan who replaced Amavi - Bacuna was on from the start.
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I remember when Bruce was manager of the Rags, and their fans saying how bad it was that they played with 1 striker, at home.
How funny was that?
It's not so funny now.
But it wasn't like we didnt create any chances though was it?
I agree we did create chances.
But, I'd still like to see 2 strikers, especially at home.
Hogan and Kodj really need to form a partnership if we want any chance of going up next season.
At the very least it would make it more difficult for the opposition to put three men on Kodija if we had another threat playing up there with him. The guy was being manhandled today and at one point even got penalised by the ref for it!
EDIT: and this hoofing it up field straight from the kick off really needs to stop. I have never seen the point of it and it led to us conceding today.
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I thought we might have seen the last of Bacuna with a six game ban but oh no he's straight back into what was a winning team. Result we've started regressing again.
yep
dont get it and Bruce bigging up agbonlahor in the week - christ almighty
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Disapointing today. We did look at times like we knew the season was over in terms of a play of place. I didnt think we were too bad going forward but the defending was woeful. Amavi going off for Bacuna was a strange one as a few have mentioned. All in all, a poor day.
It was Hogan who replaced Amavi - Bacuna was on from the start.
Yes it was. My bad (as the yoof say).
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If Gabby comes back then that would put the tin hat on the season
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I thought we might have seen the last of Bacuna with a six game ban but oh no he's straight back into what was a winning team. Result we've started regressing again.
yep
dont get it and Bruce bigging up agbonlahor in the week - christ almighty
I know, surely he's already big enough!?
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Just home. It was obvious from the first ten minutes that Reading were going to run at Amavi and Bacuna. Both of them are mentally weak and prone to panic. That and failure to take our chances made the result inevitable. The midfield is hardly any better than RDM's. Reading realised that the ref was going to allow a rough house, especially with Kodjia. They played him like a fiddle, including running the clock down. By me we seem as one mind to accept that we have found our level and promotion next season is very uncertain.
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Game gifted to Reading by our mistakes. Amavi was terrible.
Why is bacuna anywhere near our first team? His challenge for the penalty was so blatant, he may as well have kicked the ball into our own net. He along with Richards and Gabby are the deadwood in our club that still needs moving on. Richards warming up along the touchline (during the match) and at half time on the pitch was a complete joke. 40k+ p/w for a total lack of professionalism by Richards is disgusting. Bruce needs to wise up that involving these deadbeats in our match day squads will continue to hold Aston Villa back.
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Bacuna wasn't great today but he's been fine recently. However, Amavi at LB was terrible
The ones that really disappoint me are Lansbury and Hourihane.
Arrived at Villa with the reputation as two of the best midfielders in the division but they're high on my list for replacing in the summer
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We have some very good players for this level. It is the manager's job to find the supporting players and a way of playing to get the best out of them and make us into a very good team.
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If Gabby comes back then that would put the tin hat on the season
Apparently he was nearly fit and could have been up for consideration, but then he came down with yet another injury - a groin strain. Can't imagine how he would have got that.
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Bacuna wasn't great today but he's been fine recently. However, Amavi at LB was terrible
The ones that really disappoint me are Lansbury and Hourihane.
Arrived at Villa with the reputation as two of the best midfielders in the division but they're high on my list for replacing in the summer
I can't agree with this UKR. I find him extremely ordinary and he lacks concentration. I agree about Lansbury and Hourihane. Our midfield has been overrun for five years and it is still happening whichever configuration is chosen. Jedinak is slightly different due to his defensive attributes but there remains a lack of creativity, control and possession.
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Why no Andre Green?
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Very lack lustre today, against a side that were no great shakes we never really built a head of steam, the odd 30 seconds of attacking but that was it.
Bacuna & Amavi, as Smithy said to David James in his Comic Relief sketch 'stop dicking about with your hair and play football'. Both are dreadfully limited players normally but today were calamity waiting to happen.
Hutton for all his cult status for trying hard showed how average he is again, poor in defensive third, awful in attacking 3rd, good in the central third - for me that is Alan Hutton.
Adomah, anonymous
Kodjia, poorly served by a referee who I will come onto in a minute but I hope his performance was down to the after effects of his knock last week as against a team playing silly beggars at the back he was frequently ambling around not putting pressure on the ball.
Bruce, why did we have 3 defenders on the bench and not RHM or Green?
The referee was a disgrace-he clearly came into the game with the impression Kodjia was a diver as invariably he had to be assaulted to get a decision & can only think he was glad for the breather every time they time wasted as he did nothing to clamp down.
If they go up Stam will be sacked by Christmas because some of the football they play is frankly stupid, all that fannying around at the back playing 'total football' will get punished time and again at the higher level.
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Bacuna wasn't great today but he's been fine recently. However, Amavi at LB was terrible
The ones that really disappoint me are Lansbury and Hourihane.
Arrived at Villa with the reputation as two of the best midfielders in the division but they're high on my list for replacing in the summer
I can't agree with this UKR. I find him extremely ordinary and he lacks concentration. I agree about Lansbury and Hourihane. Our midfield has been overrun for five years and it is still happening whichever configuration is chosen. Jedinak is slightly different due to his defensive attributes but there remains a lack of creativity, control and possession.
Agree..
I've not rated Amavi from day one. Today was the epitome of his performances: a lack of concentration, positional nous and awareness combined with misplaced passes - likewise Bacuna.
I don't anticipate much from them, but I'm still waiting for Lansbury to really influence a game. I was hoping he'd be our 'string puller' but he's largely disappointed. Hourihane can deliver a good set piece but we need more.
Maybe we should've signed Vibe instead of Hogan, as unfortunately apart from the header at Wigan he doesn't look like scoring and that was a really good chance to equalise today.
However we seem to make players who shone for their previous teams look like players to whom we'd never give a second glance if we were recruiting now.
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I have read that we are on the beach etc, what a load of nonsense. These players should be showing that they want to play for our great club and now is the time to get things in shape for next season. I said last night that Bree should be starting as he is the future. If Taylor isn't fit for Monday, maybe Hutton could switch over. The nabbers fascination with Bacuna is beyond me. Reading like to play out from the back, very dangerously at times. Why not give Hogan 90 mins with Kodjia and go 4-4-2 with Green or Grealish in the equation. These players bought are decent, Houriane was arguably the player of the season before he joined us. We should be bossing teams, but the set up doesn't allow this. We should be going at teams and imposing ourselves. I like Bruce, but he is being too negative IMHO.
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People have been saying what a great run we were on. However, I would say that whilst we have had a couple of poor runs and a couple of good ones, I personally haven't seen much difference in our overall performances. I'm begining to have serious doubts about SB. Says all the right things in post match interviews but does sod all about it in the next match. First thing he needs to do is play two up front. Also, get Amavi, Bacuna and Adomah out of the team as they seem to contribute very little.
In all, I would be surprised if we win any of our remaining matches and, without a more positive attacking attitude can see us being mid table again next season.
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We really need to be more positive, we have scraped a lot of these wins, the players need to be allowed to play with freedom in the correct areas
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I'd like to thank Danny and his lovely daughter K for finding me by the Ticket office today and making it possible for me to see the Villa from the North Stand :)
Thanks very much!
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Disapointing today. We did look at times like we knew the season was over in terms of a play of place. I didnt think we were too bad going forward but the defending was woeful. Amavi going off for Bacuna was a strange one as a few have mentioned. All in all, a poor day.
It was Hogan who replaced Amavi - Bacuna was on from the start.
Yes it was. My bad (as the yoof say).
No no you were right. Whilst Hogan did come on Bacuna replaced Amavi at LB.
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Bruce, why did we have 3 defenders on the bench and not RHM or Green?
This is the bit that confused me as well. Picks 3 defenders on the bench, subs off 2 defenders and still has 3 defenders on the bench.
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Bruce, why did we have 3 defenders on the bench and not RHM or Green?
This is the bit that confused me as well. Picks 3 defenders on the bench, subs off 2 defenders and still has 3 defenders on the bench.
So if we had the same result having played a few youngsters and tried something new then I doubt he would be getting the same scrutiny.
It does not make sense.
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Bruce, why did we have 3 defenders on the bench and not RHM or Green?
This is the bit that confused me as well. Picks 3 defenders on the bench, subs off 2 defenders and still has 3 defenders on the bench.
So if we had the same result having played a few youngsters and tried something new then I doubt he would be getting the same scrutiny.
It does not make sense.
Not sure what you mean by that, would you care to explain?
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Disappointing performance and yet again a lack of adventure, pattern and ability, is he the man for next season, I'm not to sure.
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Only my second visit to VP today. Strange atmosphere and performance. We seem to accept what weve become; midtable championship. Couldn't work out what our style of play is and no adventure in what was a meaningless game. Doubts about next seasons prospects...
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That was my thousandth visit to VP today (give or take). Strange atmosphere and performance. We seem to accept what we have become, midtable championship. Couldn't work out what our style of play is and no adventure in what was a meaningless game. Doubts about next season's prospects.
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Strangers in the night
Exchanging glances
Wondering in the night
What were the chances…
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I'd like to thank Danny and his lovely daughter K for finding me by the Ticket office today and making it possible for me to see the Villa from the North Stand :)
Thanks very much!
I'd like to thank the ticket office for refusing to print out a paper copy of cheltenhamlion's ticket for me even though I had all the necessary details apart from his shoe size so I did not have to endure that lacklustre, ineffective display of what masquerades as football.
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I was looking for you Lee before the game. I had a spare ticket in my pocket you could have had. You dodged a bullet there.
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Yep, Leeg lucked out by missing that one
Great to see Louzie0 before the game
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Due to ill health yesterday was my first match for 18 months, having rarely missed a home match in the previous 50 years. So despite the performance and result, believe it was good to be back.
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Shitelights (http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-reading/358602)
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Amongst many things that puzzle me about us one is how often our players in attacking positions are prepared to allow the ball to go out for a throw in or corner when recovering and putting the ball back into the mix would have given opposition less time to defend properly? Yesterday there were again many examples but the worst one was the incident that led to the corner when we scored. OK we scored but why did Kodjia let the ball drift out for a corner when only 10 yards from goal with a Reading defence in total disarray?
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Amongst many things that puzzle me about us one is how often our players in attacking positions are prepared to allow the ball to go out for a throw in or corner when recovering and putting the ball back into the mix would have giver opposition less time to defend properly? Yesterday there were again many examples but the worst one was the incident that led to the corner when we scored. OK we scored but why did Kodjia let the ball drift out for a corner when only 10 yards from goal with a Reading defence in disarray?
And then whoever is taking the throw stands there for ten minutes trying to work out who to throw the ball to.
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People have been saying what a great run we were on. However, I would say that whilst we have had a couple of poor runs and a couple of good ones, I personally haven't seen much difference in our overall performances. I'm begining to have serious doubts about SB. Says all the right things in post match interviews but does sod all about it in the next match. First thing he needs to do is play two up front. Also, get Amavi, Bacuna and Adomah out of the team as they seem to contribute very little.
In all, I would be surprised if we win any of our remaining matches and, without a more positive attacking attitude can see us being mid table again next season.
Completely agree - a few wins against some of the other mid table also rans has been papering over the cracks . The football is appalling - pedestrian tempo or hoofball - with sod all else.
When was the last time we dominated a game ?
I think Bruce should be given the summer to fully get his own players in , but the football needs to improve .
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Shitelights (http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-reading/358602)
Looked a good game?
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Well yesterday came as no great surprise, it was possibly my last visit to Villa Park (nothing morbid not that I know of ) My first game was in 1959 so I was hoping for something a bit special hmmm. I would have thought that S B would have yanked Amavi off after 30 mins to me that's what you expect of a good manager. Jonathan k was constantly fouled under the refs nose our players can see this happening why aren't our Cbs climbing all over Mendez? I hope next season we will improve it shouldn't be difficult considering reaching the top 8 should achieve that, it would be great shame ,given our resources to be messing about in the bottom half of this division again UTV
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Shitelights (http://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-reading/358602)
Looked a good game?
I thought it was an entertaining game yesterday. Just a cack result.
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Going back to Aftab's point about not letting balls run out of play, to me it is a symptom of dimness that runs through our teams. We have nobody with a quick brain and several with no brain at all. How many times do we see our players play themselves into trouble with their teammates just watching, not moving in to avert a break. You got yourself into it you get yourself out of it. Bacuna and Amavi are mentally weak. They needed a Barry or a Petrov or a Richardson to make them braver by example and by voice commands. I had hoped Jedinak would be that man but he was fighting private wars yesterday, both with the opposition and his own skill levels.
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Going back to Aftab's point about not letting balls run out of play, to me it is a symptom of dimness that runs through our teams. We have nobody with a quick brain and several with no brain at all. How many times do we see our players play themselves into trouble with their teammates just watching, not moving in to avert a break. You got yourself into it you get yourself out of it. Bacuna and Amavi are mentally weak. They needed a Barry or a Petrov or a Richardson to make them braver by example and by voice commands. I had hoped Jedinak would be that man but he was fighting private wars yesterday, both with the opposition and his own skill levels.
Brian, for the benefit of younger viewers I assume you mean Richardson of the Kevin variety rather than Keiron?
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Also, yes the football isn't great but we were unbeaten in nine games and had 12,000 empty seats. Where were the missing thousands who have got Small Heath tickets?
I am one of those missing ones you refer to. Ive been to Burton and Derby recently and we were dire in both, add the tv games Ive seen, and to be frank I dont want to waste my money watching us play like that. In my view Bruce isnt the answer.
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Yes, of course, sorry about that. Once, playing Wimbledon who were determined to send us home from Selhurst Park in body bags Kevin held us together with ninety minutes of fucking and blinding. Keiron, training for the Ministry, would never have heard such words.
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Typical end of season on the beach nothing to play for performance.
Sums it up. Hope we demonstrate some sort of desire next week, as Blues will be desperate for something.
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That's never a penalty the diving shit house.
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He knew with that ref he would get the penalty. The referee started out with the mind set that Kodjia was going to get nothing and his theme developed from there. I would have been truly amazed if that referee had not awarded a penalty against us at some point. You can tell by their body language which refs are arrogant little tossers. He was a prime example.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
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That's never a penalty the diving shit house.
Not a pen in a million years but where were the protests?Hogan who when playing in a Brentford kit would of smashed that chance into the net? And as for the braindead twonk who kept the ball in play to give the ball to them well deary me. What a total fuckwit. Kodja and Hogan don't seem to like each other. Yet another major overhaul of the squad is going to be needed if we are to have any chance of top two.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
Good points, Nev, nothing to add.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.
Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.
Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO.
Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.
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For me the jury is still out on Bruce. I want him to stay and I want him to come good. But wanting things does not mean they will happen. If we can bolt ourselves on to an upward curve of improvement that is as much as we can hope for, all things considered.
However, I would be being less than honest if I did not say days like yesterday and Burton raise in me, maybe not you, the ghosts of past slides. Soft goals still haunt us, inneffective midfield still haunts us, weak players in key positions still haunts us, proven players with other clubs coming g to us and under performing still haunts us, managerial dourness still haunts us. Like I say, it troubles me but maybe not others.
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Brian, you articulate exactly how I feel. Great post.
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That's never a penalty the diving shit house.
Looking directly down from Upper North I thought it was nailed on penalty. Bacuna's pull unbalanced him as he chased the ball. There was no need for our man to do that as he was going away from goal.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.
Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO.
Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.
If this team were to be playing in the premier league this season how many games do you think we would win?
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Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.
It's a moot point. Standard of players in this League is far inferior so drifting around 12th to 14th in Championship after spending nearly £80M is worrying.
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People have been saying what a great run we were on. However, I would say that whilst we have had a couple of poor runs and a couple of good ones, I personally haven't seen much difference in our overall performances. I'm begining to have serious doubts about SB. Says all the right things in post match interviews but does sod all about it in the next match. First thing he needs to do is play two up front. Also, get Amavi, Bacuna and Adomah out of the team as they seem to contribute very little.
In all, I would be surprised if we win any of our remaining matches and, without a more positive attacking attitude can see us being mid table again next season.
Completely agree - a few wins against some of the other mid table also rans has been papering over the cracks . The football is appalling - pedestrian tempo or hoofball - with sod all else.
When was the last time we dominated a game ?
I think Bruce should be given the summer to fully get his own players in , but the football needs to improve .
Most of the side are his players now....Johnstone was the keeper selected when it was decided Gollini wasn't apparently up to it, Taylor, Hourihane, Lansbury and Hogan all January signings and will be key players next season and even the ones he's inherited like Kodjia and Baker and Chester have had good seasons on the whole.
I would say another 4 signings in the summer but any more and to me it's just posturing and spending for the sake of it (equivalent of firing off nuclear missiles to show off!)
What we need is to have a good pre season in which we drill into the squad the mentality to come from losing a game to actually win a game. Yesterday was yet another game in this season which we lose when we concede first. Not good enough if we want automatic promotion next season.
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That's never a penalty the diving shit house.
Right infront of me. As soon as Bacuna put his hand on the back of the Reading player you're asking for trouble although I agree Kelly went down very easily. It was a shame as it was our corner and Bacuna had done very well to cut out the clearance on the halfway line and then to sum the day up he just fell over straight after.
It balanced out the Derby Darren Bent non award anyway.
What was a little embarrassing was that was nowhere near Reading's strongest team, they rested the likes of McClearly and Kermogrant who are key players. My Dad was asking me who that Mendes guy was and I had no idea. Turns up he's been playing mainly for their under 23s this season and yesterday was one of his first games this season.
Bit worrying when their reserve side is knocking the ball around VP with ease as they were.
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Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.
It's a moot point. Standard of players in this League is far inferior so drifting around 12th to 14th in Championship after spending nearly £80M is worrying.
Exactly
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.
Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO.
It's difficult to say as we're not playing opposition teams with players like Zlatan and Hazard in it anymore.
Given the Reading reserve forward make our usually solid back 4 look like a pub defence yesterday it's fair to say we'd probably do well to win 3 prem games with this team bar the likes of Kodjia and Chester.
At least what we've done recently is go on a run of wins for the first time since 2010, not conceding and generally looking like we have some momentum at long last.
We need to start the season like that and things will then be more comfortable even if there would be still be some weaknesses in the team.
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I think we still have one or two attitude problems. Sloppiness is the result of complacency, which along with good old arrogance, has been the story of our fall. Go into the game against Small Heath with any trace of that attitude, and we'll have a very rude awakening. We can't afford not to be vigilant.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.
Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO.
Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.
If this team were to be playing in the premier league this season how many games do you think we would win?
More than three I would think. It is a better more organised side than the utter shambles of last season. We didnt have a 19 goal striker for a start.
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In the Kingdom of the Bland Villa players have ruled majestically over the last 5 to 7 years. I look back on some of the teams we have put out and the amount of complete dross that has come and gone is staggering. Whether or not this is a malaise that other teams suffer from is open to question but generally the lack of touch, skill, passion, hard work and basic footballing ability of those wearing a Villa shirt is staggering. It may be that the fear of losing rather than the optimism of winning has stifled any free flowing expansive football but basic excitement has been at a premium for too long at Villa Park. For the first time in many years I walked out of the ground yesterday without caring about the result.Reading were OK, nothing more and yet, as in most matches this season, we struggled to put three decent passes together.
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We are a million miles away from the teams at the top of this division.
I think automatic promotion next season, with this squad, is unlikely.
As unlikely as it is, there will still be massive expectation and that will add even more pressure on a fragile team.
Will they cope?
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Another couple of hours wasted witnessing the ever more inept and ponderous buffoonery of arrogant undeserving millionaires. Reading's movement was way more intense than ours, we always seem to play at a very slow tempo. Our player often didn't have any willing runners to pass to and had little choice but to launch it long and hopeful. At times there was a gaping gap 30 yards around the centre circle where at least one of our midfielders should have been. And yet we still somehow managed to create 5 or 6 clear cut chances and should have had at least 3 - mainly because Reading's defending gave some insight as to why they shipped 7 last week. If only our players could hit a barn door from 5 yards. Despite the good run, I'm afraid I'm not and never will be a Bruce fan, the football is dire and it only works to a degree. That degree may be enough to get us up next year but on yesterday's evidence I wouldn't bet on it.
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The habit of analysing the whole club, management, structure and team through the lens of one game is an annoying one. Reading had something to play for, we didn't. We, subconsciously perhaps after last week, dropped down a gear, got lazy and made mistakes. Is it right? not really but I have seen games like this down all the years, dreary, moribund outings that make you sigh and shake your head but it's not the sign of the malaise of the last five years. We are in recovery and it's a rather painful and frustrating process that will take time. Formations, players and tactics will change and hopefully will bring dividends. Patience is all at the moment where Villa are concerned and to counter yesterdays dissapointment just think back to a result like that in the midst of the knawing, horrific fear of relegation that haunted us for so long and could've been present still.
Of course, were a performance and result such as yesterday manifest itself this time next week than I, like you all will be demanding the head of everyone from Bruce to the groundsman on a plate.
All I want to see is some progress. To my mind we have seen none since the start of the season which is unacceptable given the funds spent by both managers. I suspect others are the same
The progress I see is in terms of results and the fact that we are not looking over our shoulder. In a season where we changed manager and given the mindset around Villa Park for so long I am happy enough for now.
Sorry but I'm not. We are no better now than the garbage that got us relegated IMHO.
Really? We're not a better team than the one that only won 3 games last season? Hmm.
If this team were to be playing in the premier league this season how many games do you think we would win?
More than three I would think. It is a better more organised side than the utter shambles of last season. We didnt have a 19 goal striker for a start.
Yes we did we had Gestede who had scored 20 at the same level as Kodija has. I honestly think we would struggle to win many games in the PL, even our wins in this league have been mostly scraped.
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Yep, Leeg lucked out by missing that one
Great to see Louzie0 before the game
Great to meet UK Redsox, Leeg, Kurtis and Dave W yesterday.
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you can't compare Gestede with Kodjia - for a start he's an international who scores international goals, Rudy doesn't.
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you can't compare Gestede with Kodjia - for a start he's an international who scores international goals, Rudy doesn't.
Kod has 5 international goals, Rudy has 3.
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Another couple of hours wasted witnessing the ever more inept and ponderous buffoonery of arrogant undeserving millionaires. Reading's movement was way more intense than ours, we always seem to play at a very slow tempo. Our player often didn't have any willing runners to pass to and had little choice but to launch it long and hopeful. At times there was a gaping gap 30 yards around the centre circle where at least one of our midfielders should have been. And yet we still somehow managed to create 5 or 6 clear cut chances and should have had at least 3 - mainly because Reading's defending gave some insight as to why they shipped 7 last week. If only our players could hit a barn door from 5 yards. Despite the good run, I'm afraid I'm not and never will be a Bruce fan, the football is dire and it only works to a degree. That degree may be enough to get us up next year but on yesterday's evidence I wouldn't bet on it.
Every word - spot on.
Hate to say it but we are not going up with Bruce. Pity, I like him as a person but his best days are behind him. He'll be gone by Christmas.
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What about the past two months as a whole instead. Surely that's better evidence than one poor 90 minutes.
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What about the past two months as a whole instead. Surely that's better evidence than one poor 90 minutes.
There's been quite a few poor performances in that two months though, even in games we've won - QPR and Rotherham for example.
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you can't compare Gestede with Kodjia - for a start he's an international who scores international goals, Rudy doesn't.
Gestede is comparable to Kodija in the context of the post I was responding to - getting 19-20 goals in the Championship.
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you can't compare Gestede with Kodjia - for a start he's an international who scores international goals, Rudy doesn't.
Gestede is comparable to Kodija in the context of the post I was responding to - getting 19-20 goals in the Championship.
Do you think Gestede would have scored 19 goals for us this season?
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What about the past two months as a whole instead. Surely that's better evidence than one poor 90 minutes.
There's been quite a few poor performances in that two months though, even in games we've won - QPR and Rotherham for example.
Games we never looked like losing or came close to. Comfortable wins, even if we laboured it.
I wonder how much qualifying of positive results other clubs support undertake?
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What about the past two months as a whole instead. Surely that's better evidence than one poor 90 minutes.
There's been quite a few poor performances in that two months though, even in games we've won - QPR and Rotherham for example.
Games we never looked like losing or came close to. Comfortable wins, even if we laboured it.
I wonder how much qualifying of positive results other clubs support undertake?
The ability to win ugly is usually a prerequisite of a successfull team ,playing ugly and winning sometimes isn't.
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you can't compare Gestede with Kodjia - for a start he's an international who scores international goals, Rudy doesn't.
Gestede is comparable to Kodija in the context of the post I was responding to - getting 19-20 goals in the Championship.
Do you think Gestede would have scored 19 goals for us this season?
He's done it before so who knows? Anyway the point is he was a 20 goal striker at this level, and the claim was that we didn't have that last season.
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What about the past two months as a whole instead. Surely that's better evidence than one poor 90 minutes.
There's been quite a few poor performances in that two months though, even in games we've won - QPR and Rotherham for example.
Games we never looked like losing or came close to. Comfortable wins, even if we laboured it.
I wonder how much qualifying of positive results other clubs support undertake?
I never claimed we looked like losing them, just that the performances were poor. I reckon most fans like to see their teams play well as well as getting results.
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The beauty of football is that we each have differing views on performances etc. My take on much of this season is that we seem to have made hard work of even a lot of the matches we have won. Once again SB is quoted post match that we did not perform anywhere near what is expected but, sadly, don't think he will change the style of play. He's the manager, getting paid good money, so if our style of play looks dour to him as it does to many of us, he is the one that has the power to change it. I won't be holding my breath though.
I said yesterday that I don't think we'll win any of our last four games but, more worringly, unless things change next season, it will be a turgid mid table struggle again. Fulham, Blose, Blackburn and BHA all have something to play for and, especially yesterday our players obviously thought we didn't.
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I don't mind winning ugly, you need to do that at any level. It's a long term concern though that we very rarely stroll to a win. Our aim has to be top 2 next season and imo it's hard to do that if you're not sticking 3 or 4 past teams reasonably often. Or even just going 2 up pretty early and strolling through the last half hour or so.
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This team with this manager would get relegated from the Premier League and would not win many either.
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Winning ugly should be plan B/C/D not the only option you have. That's my problem with how Bruce has had us playing for the entire time he's been here.